Artwork, travel, and musings by artist, Gail H. Shelton.
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| Pen and ink sketch, before the watercolor |
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| The finished house portrait, watercolor and ink |
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| The reference photo Just got finished with this little house portrait. The client is giving it to a friend as a gift. I believe this is the house where they grew up...sweet. For info on House Portraits: sheltongail@hotmail.com Very reasonable; great gifts; fast service |
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| I started this watercolor awhile back, but I have been unable to get back to it. I did add the background stripes and the shadows on her. |
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| So tonight, I was able to get a little time, and do the finishing touches. I added some colored pencil in the background and a few squiggles here and there. I thought it "jazzed" up the piece (ha!). Anyway, I am satisfied with it now, and enjoyed trying something new. As women these days, we "wear a lot of hats", meaning we do a lot of different jobs. At the gallery, we also have a cafe, and I have been filling in with the cooking for the last month. My fulltime cook has had surgery, and she is still at home recuperating. So, instead of painting and drawing, I have been measuring, stirring, boiling and baking! But cooking is quite creative too, and I have enjoyed it. I have always heard that the best kind of work is work you are passionate about. Art is certainly my first passion (although being a grandmother is running a close second!). But I enjoy all aspects of my business...afterall, it was all my idea to begin with. So, I will savor my last week or so in the kitchen, but I was tickled to get to finish this painting as well. And now on a peaceful Friday night, its' hats off!! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| This is the opening page in my sketchbook journal for the upcoming trip to the Galapagos islands. I wanted to set the wildlife theme right from the start! This is watercolor and ink...just a little sketch. |
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| I try to do a digital copy of my journals when I get back home, and offer them to the other travelers. I didn't have time to do a real printed postcard this time, so I thought I would use this sketch and make my own postcards. I added the text using Photoshop, and now I am printing them on 4 x 6 photo paper stock. I can hand them out to interested patrons, with all my contact info on there. Maybe there will be some takers! I found a beautiful quote today. It was in a weekly art email that I receive from Robert Genn. "We can ask no greater joy than to pass gently through this place that has been given to us, and make something out of it. Not necessarily to fully understand it, for that might be an impossible task, but to honor it in our own way." That really captures how I feel about this wonderful world that God has blessed us with. And the chance to go and see these marvelous islands, inhabited with birds and animals that live only there, is a blessing I am grateful for. It should be a real adventure, and I am ready! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| In last week's adult art class, one of my students wanted to paint some sunflowers. She is a beginner watercolor student, very self-motivated and sweet. I did this small piece as a demonstration for her. I painted it quickly and with loose strokes, giving it a spontaneous feeling. I added the touches of pastel and colored pencil when the paint was dry. She will be working on her's in class tomorrow, and I will try to post her results. I have about 7 weeks before I go back to the wholesale market in Dallas. I have been busy working on some things to take to the show...so busy, I haven't been able to blog! I will try to post some of those as well. sheltongail@hotmail.com Sunflowers in Blue Vase 12 x 16 $50 |
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| "Swan Song" riddlepic |
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| "Knight Owl" riddlepic Here are some of the pieces from the "For the Birds" art show. There are some pencil and colored pencil drawings, watercolors, collages, and some photography. There are birds of all kinds...hopefully, some of your favorites! Come by when you get a chance, and check it out. sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| These are selections from the YACA art competition. This piece is a pencil drawing with real objects added...very cool. |
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| This is a 3 dimensional abstract piece. Reminds me of topographical land maps...and I like the colors. |
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| This is colored pencil. I thought the rendering was nice and I also love the colors in this one. |
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| When I first saw this piece, I wasn't sure what it was. Then I realized it was piano keys. |
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| Very interesting drawing of an Indian woman |
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| This is another drawing that has 3 dimensional objects added...the butterfly wings came away from the surface. |
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| And this was absolutely stunning! It was drawn with charcoal, and it was the talk of the show. I was not there for the awards, but I am sure this one took top honors. There is no way I was drawing anything this well in high school?! Congrats to the teachers and students whose talents were well represented. YACA (youth art council of America) Look into this organization if you are an art teacher or art student...well worth it sheltongail@hotmail.com |
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| A beautiful snow photo that I took a couple of years ago while snowmobiling (is that a word?) in Utah with a good friend. |
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| Little watercolor of the scene I am still mentoring my high school senior, teaching her to paint in watercolor. We did this painting yesterday. This is the photo reference we used, and that is my example for her. She did well...but she still doesn't like her trees! So she is going to work on them over the holidays, and we will continue in January. This would make a cute little Christmas card! sheltongail@hotmail.com |
